Reclosable tear strip container structure



Nov. 16, 1954 J, HENCHERT 2,694,502

RECLOSABLE TEAR STRIP CONTAINER STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 17, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I1E' fi g 3 2513.51-4 e In. E14:-

I 9 g 97 J0 I 5 8 57 INVENTOR 3a ceri 7 B Qdiv, JW QW ATTORNEYS United States Patent C) RECLOSABLE TEAR STRIP CONTAINER STRUCTURE John Henchert, River Forest, 111., assignor to Continental Can Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 17, 1950, Serial No. 196,317

7 Claims. (Cl. 22054) The invention relates generally to metallic containers of the tear strip type, and it primarily seeks to provide an improved form of container wherein the need for including a separate collar element is dispensed with, and wherein a strong leak proof seam is provided; the presentation of a raw metal edge inwardly of the container mouth also being avoided and novel means being included for effecting desirable reclosure of the container.

In container structures of the character stated, the container body is provided with a tear strip adjacent the upper end thereof which can be wound about a key and thus torn from the body to separate the upper extremity of the body and the attached top end closure from the main body, thereby to effect an opening of the container. It has been common practice to provide a collar within and extending upwardly from the upper extremity of the container body left by the tearing out of the tear strip so as to provide an upward extension on or in which to receive a reclosure means. The provision of such collars adds materially to the cost of manufacturing containers and presents difliculties in the manufacture and handling of such collars. Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a container structure wherein the need for inclusion of a separate collar element is eliminated by forming the body from a blank folded upon itself to provide a triple fold including an inner wall, an intermediate wall and an outer wall, the tear strip being formed in the outer wall and within the width of the triple fold, and the inner wall including a reclosure retaining, inwardly directed bead at its juncture with the intermediate wall.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container structure of the character stated wherein the tear strip is so formed as to leave a portion of the outer fold wall intact after the tear strip is torn out to act as a flexible hinge connecting the top closure to the container r body, said closure including a seat shoulder for engaging as a stop with the juncture of the inner and intermediate fold walls, and a central depression presenting an annular wall for frictionally engaging within the bead and having outwardly struck dimples therein disposed to yieldably engage as retaining means under said head.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container structure of the character stated including a triple fold with the tear strip formed in the outer wall thereof, each of the inner, intermediate and outer walls having one of its ends lapped over its other end, with the intermediate wall at one of its ends cooperatively abutting the inner wall at one of its ends, and with the other end of said intermediate wall cooperatively abutting the outer wall at one of its ends.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container structure of the general character stated with the cooperatively abutting end portions of the intermediate, inner and outer walls each being composed of two angularly related edge portions effective when in edge abutting engagement to resist thrusts in two directions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container structure of the general character stated wherein the angularly related edge portions bear 45 angular relation one to the other so as to form a half diamond configuration, and wherein the half diamond configuration edge portions of the intermediate wall are so placed as to cooperate in overlapped relation to provide a diamond shaped overlap confined within the triple fold.

Another object of the invention is to provide a con- 50 tainer structure of the general character stated wherein there is included a lock and lap side seam and wherein the inner and outer fold walls extend endwise beyond the diamond shaped intermediate wall overlap, the latter being disposed in line with and forming a part of the lock and lap seam.

Another object of the invention is to provide a container structure of the character stated wherein the triple fold walls, the cooperating abutting edge portions and overlaps thereof are so cooperatively related that no more than four wall thicknesses will be presented at the triple fold portion at the location of the lock and lap side seam, and no more than three wall thicknesses elsewhere about the triple fold.

With the above and other objects in view that will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an outside face view of the blank from which the improved container is formed, the condition of the blank prior to formation of the triple fold being illustrated.

Figure 2 is an enlarged outside face view illustrating the opposite ends of the blank in the region of the triple fold the lines on which the triple folds and the hook folds are made being indicated in dot and dash lines.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 illustrating the triple folds and the hook folds as having been completed.

Fi ure 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating the reverse side of the blank illustrated in Figure 3 at the position of the tear strip tongue projection.

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical cross section taken on the line 55 on Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary face view illustrating the outside of the container body at the position of the side seam and the overlapping portions at the triple fold.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 looking from the inside.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7, a portion of the inner wall of the triple fold at the left of the side seam being broken away to illustrate the edge abutment of the intermediate fold wall with the end of the inner fold wall as it extends away to the right from the side seam as viewed in Figure 8.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 8 with a portion of the inner fold wall at both sides of the seam and the intermediate wall to the left of said seam broken away to illustrate the edge abutment of the edge of the outer fold wall where it extends away to the left of the side seam with the intermediate fold wall where it extends away toward the right of the side seam.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary face view looking at the outside of the side seam at the position of the triple fold with the outer fold only being cut away where it extends to the left from the side seam to illustrate the edge abutment between the intermediate fold extending to the left of the side seam with the outer fold extending to the right of said seam.

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 10 with the outer fold extending to the right of the side seam broken away, and a portion of the intermediate wall extending to the left of said searn broken away to illustrate the edge abutment between the inner fold wall at the left of the seam and the intermediate fold wall at the right of the seam.

Figure 12 is a horizontal section taken through the center of the triple fold at the position of the side seam.

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12, the section being taken above the triple fold and looking downwardly.

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 12, the section being taken below the triple fold and looking downwardly.

Figure 15 is a side elevation illustrating the improved container structure, the top closure being shown swung to a partially open position.

Figure 16 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross section taken through the triple fold and the top closure at the position of one of the closure retaining dimples and illustrating the yieldable interlock between the dimple and the triple fold bead.

In the example of embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, the improved container structure includes a body 5 having a lock and lap side seam generally designated 6, and a bottom 7 which may be formed and applied in the conventional manner. The container also includes a top closure 8 which is secured to the body, preferably by a double rolled seam above the tear strip structure generally designated 9, the latter being so formed that when the strip is torn away it will leave an unbroken hinge portion as indicated at 10 which will permit the top closure to be swung between open and reclosure positions without complete removal.

The container body is formed from a blank generally designated 11 which is illustrated in detail in Figures 1 through 4 of the drawings. The blank is slit at one end as at 12 to form the usual inside hook 13 and is notched at its other end at 14 and 15 to provide the usual outside hook 16. The hooks are to be folded as usual on the fold lines 17. The end of the blank including the outside hook also includes the usual angled edge cuts 18.

The tear strip is defined by score lines in the usual manner, as at 19, and this scoring terminates as at short of the end of the blank at which the inside hook 13 is provided so as to leave a solid hinge portion after the tearing out of the tear strip, and said strip is extended at its other end beyond the end of the blank equipped with the outside hook 16 to provide the usual key receiving tongue 21. The tongue strip parallels and bears definitely spaced relation to two parallel fold lines 22 and 23.

At the end of the blank having the inside book 13 there is provided a notch generally designated 24 and which is formed of an upwardly and inwardly inclined edge 25 merging into a vertical edge 26 starting at the line 23 and going upwardly. The vertical edge 26 merges into an inwardly and upwardly angled edge 27, preferably angled at 45 and starting below the other fold line 22 and merging at said line into another vertical edge 28 extending upwardly and which is of the same or approximately the same depth as the vertical edge 26. The edge 28 merges into another 45 edge 29 extending upwardly and outwardly and merging at a point vertically aligned with the edge 26 in a horizontal edge 30 extending outwardly to the adjacent end extremity of the blank. At the end having the tongue extension 21 the blank is provided with a notch generally designated 31 and which is formed of an upwardly and inwardly angled edge 32, angled at 45 and starting at the body ofiset line 33 and merging into a vertical edge 34 extending upwardly to the first fold line 23. The vertical edge 34 merges into another 45 edge 35 which extends upwardly and outwardly to merge into another vertical edge 36 ali ned with the vertical edge of the blank from which the hook 16 extends and terminating at the fold line 22.

When the blank is folded upon itself at the fold lines 22 and 23 it forms a triple fold such as is clearly illustrated in Figures 5 and 16 of the drawings and which includes an outer Wall 37 including the tear strip, an intermediate wall 38 and an inner wall 39, the latter merging through the olTset 40 at the body offset line 33 into the main body beneath the triple fold and flush with the outer wall .37. The return bend connecting the intermediate wall 38 with the inner wall 39 provides a well rounded edge and a slightly inwardly extended bead 41, the purpose of which will become apparent as this description progresses.

It will be apparent by reference to Figures 3 and 4 that when the triple fold is formed the notch edges 26 and 27 of the intermediate fold wall 38 will cooperate with the notch edges 28 and 29 of the outer fold wall 37 in providing a diamond shaped parallelogram area 42 at the end of the blank having the inside hook 13. It will also be apparent that the notch edges 32 and 34 of the inner fold wall 39 will similarly cooperate with the notch edges 35 and 36 of the intermediate fold wall 38 in providing a diamond shaped parallelogram area 42 at the end of the blank from which the tongue 21 projects. These areas 42 are disposed to accurately oppose each other and overlap when the blank is formed into a container body. See Figures 8 to 12.

The notch edge portions 28 and 29 of the outer fold wall 37 form a half-diamond configuration which engages in edge abutting contact with the similar configuration formed by the edges 35 and 36 of the intermediate fold wall 38, and the edges 26 and 27 of the intermediate fold wall 38 form a half-diamond configuration which engages in edge abutting contact with the similar configuration formed by the notch edges 32 and 34 of the inner fold wall 39. The edge contact at 28, 29 with 35, 36 prevents relative lateral and vertical movements of the outer and intermediate fold walls 37 and 38, and the edge contact at 26, 27 with 32, 34 similarly prevents relative lateral and vertical movements of the inner and intermediate fold walls 39 and 38. This arrangement of overlapping diamond shaped areas and abutting edges provides a very rigid, leak proof and compact seam structure. It will be apparent by reference to Figure 12 that no more than four thicknesses will be presented in any portion of the triple fold at the side seam, and elsewhere only three such thicknesses will be provided at the triple fold. It will also be noted by reference to Figure 12 that the seam lap portion 43 and the seam lap portion 44 extend well to opposite sides of the abutting edges of the outer and inner walls with the intermediate wall ends and also the overlapping diamond shaped parallelogram areas 42. In this manner a very strong leak proof seam is provided at the triple fold area, the diamond lapped area being buried entirely within the triple fold, and the oblique lines of abutment serving to provide only a point interruption to the making of continuous fold lines.

By reason of the peculiar arrangement of the triple fold and the tear strip defining score lines, when the tear strip is torn out it leaves the raw metal edge well below the smooth, rounded juncture of the inner and intermediate fold walls 39 and 38, and outwardly of said folds so that there will be no likelihood of a person inserting their fingers into the open top of the container engaging with said raw metal edge. Another, and perhaps even more important advantage is that the raw metal edge is positioned safely away from any possible contact with the contents of the container, thereby assuring against contamination.

It will be apparent by reference to Figures 15 and 16 of the drawings that the top closure includes an offset stop shoulder 45 disposed to engage in definite placing contact with the juncture of the inner and intermediate fold walls 39 and 38, and said closure also includes a central depression 46 providing a friction wall 47 for engaging in friction contact within the bead 41. In order to additionally facilitate etficient reclosure of the container, the top closure friction wall 47 is provided with a plurality of outwardly struck dimples 48 disposed to yieldably engage under the bead 41 in a manner for yieldably retaining the top closure in its closed position as illustrated in Figure 16.

It is to be undertood that when the lock and lap side seam is solder bonded, the solder will also fiow into the triple fold at the position of the side seam and will perfectly bond the abutting and lapped portions of the fold walls in this region, as well as the laterally extended lapped portions 43 and 44 as shown in Figure 12.

While one form of the invention has been shown for purposes of illustration it is to be clearly understood that various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container body having a side seam and formed from a blank folded upon itself to provide a threewalled band extending about the body in spaced relation to one end thereof, said band including an outer wall an inner wall and an intermediate wall, said outer wall extending endwise away from said band for attachment to a closure and being weakened along parallel lines to provide a tear strip, each of the inner, intermediate and outer walls of the band having one of its ends lapped over its other end at the side seam with the intermediate wall at one of its ends cooperatively abutting the inner wall at one of its ends, and with the other end of said intermediate wall cooperatively abutting the outer wall at one of its ends, the cooperatively abutting end portions of the intermediate, inner and outer walls each being composed of two angularly related edge portions effective when in edge abutting engagement to resist thrusts in two directions.

2. A container body having a side seam and formed from a blank folded upon itself to provide a three-walled band extending about the body in spaced relation to one end thereof, said band including an outer wall an inner wall and an intermediate wall, said outer wall extending endwise away from said band for attachment to a closure and being weakened along parallel lines to provide a tear strip, each of the inner, intermediate and outer walls of the band having one of its ends lapped over its other end at the side seam with the intermediate wall at one of its ends cooperatively abutting the inner wall at one of its ends, and with the other end of said intermediate wall cooperatively abutting the outer wall at one of its ends, the cooperatively abutting end portions of the intermediate, inner and outer walls each being composed of two angularly related edge portions effective when in edge abutting engagement to resist thrusts in two directions, and each of said outer and inner walls at one end thereof overlapping the end abutment of an intermediate wall end with the other end of said inner or outer wall.

3. A container body having a side seam and formed from a blank folded upon itself to provide a three-walled band extending about the body in spaced relation to one end thereof, said band including an outer wall an inner wall and an intermediate wall, said outer wall extending endwise away from said band for attachment to a closure and being weakened along parallel lines to provide a tear strip, each of the inner, intermediate and outer walls of the band having one of its ends lapped over its other end at the side seam with the intermediate wall at one of its ends cooperatively abutting the inner wall at one of its ends, and with the other end of said intermediate wall cooperatively abutting the outer wall at one of its ends, the cooperatively abutting end portions of the intermediate, inner and outer walls each being composed of two edge portions bearing 45 angular relation one to the other so as to form a half-diamond configuration with one said edge portion disposed vertically, said angularly related edge portions being efiective when in edge abutting relation to resist thrusts in two directions, the half diamond configuration edge portions of the intermediate wall being placed to cooperate in overlapped relation to provide a diamond shaped overlap within the folds of the band at the side seam.

4. A container body having a side seam and formed from a blank folded upon itself to provide a three-walled band extending about the body in spaced relation to one end thereof, said band including an outer wall an inner wall and an intermediate wall, said outer wall extending endwiseaway from said band for attachment to a closure and being weakened along parallel lines to provide a tear strip, each of the inner, intermediate and outer walls of the band having one of its ends lapped over its other end at the side seam with the intermediate wall at one of its ends cooperatively abutting the inner wall at one of its ends, and with the other end of said intermediate wall cooperatively abutting the outer wall at one of its ends, the cooperatively abutting end portions of the intermediate, inner and outer walls each being composed of two edge portions bearing 45 angular relation one to the other so as to form a half-diamond configuration with one said edge portion disposed vertically, said angularly related edge portions being effective when in edge abutting relation to resist thrusts in two directions, the half diamond configuration edge portions of the intermediate wall being placed to cooperate in overlapped relation to provide a diamond shaped overlap within the folds of the band at the side seam, and each of said outer and inner walls at one end thereof overlapping the end abutment of an intermediate wall end with the other end of said inner or outer wall.

5. A container structure including a body having a side seam and formed from a blank folded upon itself to provide a three-walled band extending about the body in spaced relation to one end thereof, said band including an outer wall an inner wall and an intermediate wall, said outer wall extending endwise away from said band for attachment to a closure and being weakened along parallel lines to provide a tear strip, each of the inner, intermediate and outer walls of the band having one of its ends lapped over its other end at the side seam with the intermediate wall at one of its ends cooperatively abutting the inner wall at one of its ends, and with the other end of said intermediate wall cooperatively abutting the outer wall at one of its ends, the cooperatively abutting end portions of the intermediate, inner and outer walls each being composed of two edge portions bearing 45 angular relation one to the other so as to form a half diamond configuration with one said edge portion disposed vertically, said angularly related edge portions being effective when in edge abutting relation to resist thrusts in two directions, the half diamond configuration edge portions of the intermediate wall being placed to cooperate in overlapped relation to provide a diamond shaped overlap within the folds of the band at the side seam, and each of said outer and inner walls at one end thereof overlapping the end abutment of an intermediate wall end with the other end of said inner or outer wall, said outer wall extending away from the band comprising the outer wall and having a closure attached thereto and being weakened along parallel lines within the width of the band to provide the tear strip.

6. A blank from which to form the body of a contamer structure having a tear strip adapted to be torn out to release an end closure, said blank comprising a rectangular body having a top edge, a bottom edge, and s de edges adapted to be brought together in the formation of a side seam including portions opposing in overlapped relation, a pair of fold lines extending the length of the blank in parallel spaced relation to each other and to said top edge, a pair of score lines less than full length of the body in parallel spaced relation to each other and to said fold lines and within an area above the topmost fold line equal to the spacing of the fold lines, said score lines commencing adjacent but spaced from one side edge of the blank and extending through the other side edge to define a tear strip ending in a key tongue extending beyond said other side, each said side edge having a notch therein composed of a vertical edge starting at one fold line and merging at one end into an endwise and upwardly inclined edge and at its other end into an endwise and downwardly inclined edge, one said vertical edge extending upwardly from the topmost fold line and the other said vertical edge extending downwardly from the lowermost fold line, and the vertical edges being of identical height and the inclined edges all bearing the same angular relation to the vertical lines, whereby when the blank is folded upon itself along the two fold lines a triple thickness band Wlll be provided having an intermediate and inner and outer walls, with diamond shaped overlap areas of the intermediate wall exposed at opposite ends and in opposite directions and defined by angularly related edges adapted to abut at one end of the blank with like edges of the inner wall when the blank is formed into a body and at the other end with like edges of the outer Wall.

7. A blank from which to form the body of a container structure having a tear strip adapted to be torn out to release an end closure, said blank comprising a rectangular body having a top edge a bottom edge, and side edges adapted to be brought together in the formation of a side seam including portions opposing in overlapped relation, said blank being folded upon itself along spaced lines paralleling each other and the top edge to provide a band composed of an outer wall an intermediate wall and an inner wall, parallel score lines defining a tear strip in the outer wall within the width of the band, said intermediate wall having an abutment edge at each end thereof composed of two angularly disposed edge portions, said inner wall and said outer wall each having an abutment edge at one end thereof and composed of two angularly disposed edge portions, each said inner and outer wall abutment edge cooperating with the adjacent abutment edge of the intermediate wall in defining a diamond shaped intermediate wall area exposed for matching and overlapping the like area at the other end when the ends of the blank are brought together in a side seam, with the intermediate wall end matching and abutting the inner wall at one end and the outer wall at the other end, and with portions of the end extremities of the blank overlapping said abutted end portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,615,930 Burns Feb. 1, 1927 1,747,618 Burns Feb. 18, 1930 1,759,009 Heitlage May 20, 1930 1,985,783 OBrien Dec. 25, 1934 2,289,782 Hodgson July 14, 1942 2,305,528 Henchert Dec. 15, 1942 2,375,621 Burns May 8, 1945 

